THE public needs the full facts on proposals for a community composting site in Tormarton, worried councillors have warned.

Civic leaders want more information to be publicised about SITA's plans for the facility, which was originally earmarked to be built near Westerleigh.

Plans for the new site, near the Highways Agency depot close to Junction 18 of the M4, were announced last month to the shock of local residents and parish councillors after public outcry in Westerleigh forced a rethink.

Cllr John Wells, chairman of Tormarton Parish Council, said "Parishioners have expressed concerns about the potential visual and environmental impact of this development and we urgently need further information from SITA to reassure us on these aspects."

SITA did make details of the plans available at an exhibition in Tormarton Village Hall on Monday and Tuesday and representatives from the South Gloucestershire Council waste contractors will be on hand at a parish council meeting on Monday, June 9 (8pm) in Tormarton Village Hall.

Recycling manager for SITA South Gloucestershire, David Robertson, said: "SITA is committed to ensuring the composting site will have no negative impact on the surrounding area and is consulting as widely as possible before submitting the full planning application later this summer."

Cllr Sarah Turley (Lib Dem, Boyd Valley) said: "Residents and neighbours, including the National Trust, need the full facts so they can understand the impact this facility would have on them.

"Local people are already raising concerns about odours and possible health risks from bio-aerosols and we need answers to their questions."

Cllr Sue Hope (Lib Dem, Cotswold Edge) said: "Until we have detailed plans, it is hard to judge the visual impact.

"The Cotswold National Trail passes the entrance to the site, there is a Picnic Area next door and it lies within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"All this needs to be given serious consideration before any planning application is submitted."

She added: "We also need more information on the technology to be used. Not only could this affect the appearance of the facility and the risk of odours and bio-aerosols, it will also decide the quality of the end-product.

"The compost needs to be suitable for agricultural use, otherwise it risks ending up in landfill and making a nonsense of the whole process."